Jewish Federation of Cleveland weighs move from downtown to Beachwood

Roadell Hickman/The Plain DealerThe Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland is contemplating moving from its downtown headquarters to Beachwood. A group of 250 people gathered Thursday to discuss the options and their potential impact.

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS -- Stay downtown or go?

Officially, the plan called for tabletop dialogues held within Northeast Ohio's Jewish community the past two nights to avoid directly asking that question.

In reality, however, the topic dominated the conversations. It's why more than 250 people gathered to talk, after all.

The issue behind the meeting is this: The Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland is weighing whether to uproot from its cramped Euclid Avenue headquarters and move to Beachwood. The federation's board of trustees expects to make a decision Sept. 11.

Supporters say a move would sensibly place the federation closer to the area's Jewish community, which is concentrated in Beachwood and other eastern suburbs.

Detractors fear that a relocation signals, at least symbolically, an abandonment of downtown. A shift east out of Cleveland would leave the city without a major, full-time Jewish institution for the first time in more than a century.

"I don't know why else we're here then," Pauline Leber, 82, of Beachwood, said before Thursday night's dialogue. "It really is about where we are physically."

So the here-or-there headquarters question flowed throughout the table talk. The topic served as a launching point when discussing how a Jewish presence downtown impacts Cleveland's economy, community and culture.

At Table 2 on Wednesday, the eight-person group kept coming back to the importance of a federation headquartered in the urban center. If anything, those ringing the table wanted more activity out of the office, with downtown-based programs encouraging community partnerships and interaction.

They also spoke of Cleveland's woes and the Hebrew concept of tikkun olam, the Jewish duty to repair the world.

"We need to be in the community to be involved with the community," said Jonathan Leebow, 32, of Beachwood. "We need a foothold here. We need to show a commitment."

Out of more than two dozen people interviewed over the two nights, only one spoke for leaving for the suburbs: "People don't go downtown anymore," said Marlene Goldstein, 58, of Cleveland Heights, as she shared her thoughts Thursday.

Others sitting at Table 3 with Goldstein countered quickly.

"That's part of the problem," said Ann Garson, 45, of Shaker Heights. "We want to be part of the solution."

The question, then, is can that be done from Beachwood?

The chairman of the federation's board of trustees said in a phone interview Thursday afternoon that it's possible. Harley Gross said a downtown presence can be maintained no matter where the headquarters lands.

"It doesn't matter where the federation is," Gross said. "It can do things well from either location."

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